A 'tidal wave of family fun' is coming your way Saturday, as the West River Watershed Partnership hosts its annual West River Water Festival from 1-4 p.m. at West River Memorial Park, corner of Ella T. Grasso Blvd and Route 34.

The day kicks off with a pre-festival cleanup in the park from 10 a.m. to noon; also in the West River for participants with a small watercraft.

Children and families can enjoy kiddie pools and sprinklers, mermaids reading story books, arts and crafts, pirate tales, water magic show, bike safety demonstration, games and educational activities.

"By involving young people from New Haven neighborhoods with their watershed, we hope to inspire them to pursue further education and perhaps resource conservation or scientific careers," said Doreen Abubakar, founder of the West River Watershed Partnership.

A companion event at the Barnard Nature Center will feature live sea and river animals, museum artifacts and objects such as animal skulls that kids will be able to touch.

Kayakers and canoeists are invited to bring your vessels and join in water exploration. If you love to walk, there will be a nature walk to the newly restored Duck Pond in nearby Edgewood Park.

Bird watchers  will be able to catch views of  herons, egrets, ospreys, cedar wax wings, woodpeckers and other birds.

If you go: The West River Watershed Partnership provided pictures for an online gallery from the 2011 festival, that we hope you will contribute your pictures to and help expand it to include the 2012 event.

Send your pictures in using the #waterfest hashtag on Twitter or via email to yourpics@nhregister.com.

Thank you for sharing your memories with us.